Much of the focus on fitness is on micro-details of sets, reps, nutrient timing, blasting bigger biceps and shredding that last gram of fat from your midsection. I don’t play there but rise above it. I’m a certified strength and conditioning specialist with an MBA, and Strategic Fitness is about the big picture of fitness, health and physical performance. We’ll work on making you pretty from the neck down in a way that takes your entire life into account.

Scary Workouts

Some fitness programs are a challenge to your manhood just by their name. Are you insane enough to complete Insanity, or are you a pussy? The website asks the question “Are you ready to dig deep?” Well, are you, you freakin’ pansy?

Motivated yet?

Some people are. Some go for this marketing hype. They want to challenge their inner soldier with a “boot camp” or SealFit. They’re possessed by some devilry to exercise beyond the point of failure with Demon Training. Hell, even the Jacob’s Ladder machine implies getting electrocuted.

I have fallen for the implication of baddassery as well. Myth or not, marathon running has an awesome backstory. It’s an inspiring tale of victory, with Greek soldier Pheidippides allegedly dropping dead after allegedly running 26.2 miles to Athens to tell of non-allegedly kicking Persian ass at Marathon in 490 BC.

I have run a marathon — rather quickly. Now I’m training in the hopes of qualifying for Boston. What’s more, I intend to do an Ironman Triathlon next year. Tell me the terms “iron” and “man” put together don’t imply toughness. Many who finish one mark their bodies to show the world how tough they are. Fitness is a competitive business, and rainbows and puppy hugs aren't going to drive people the same way insane demon iron seals will. This is a challenge being issued.

It’s the opposite end of the weight-loss bullsh*t spectrum with its promises of “quick” and “easy.” None of this “just minutes a day” crap. We’re going to make you hurt.

It reminds me of the Schwarzenegger movie The Running Man. Jesse Ventura asks the question “Are you ready for pain? Are you ready for suffering? If the answer is yes, then you’re ready for Captain Freedom’s Workout.”

Are you ready for pain? These aren’t candy-assed workouts. These are workouts for tough people — male or female. As the names imply, you better be ready for suffering. You should probably be a little crazy, too. But not too crazy, because there is only so much pain you can work through. Many a person has done irrevocable damage to their body by pushing too hard. Sure, you can use these badass-named programs and physical endeavors to motivate you to exercise, but don’t let a trainer push you beyond your safe limits. It is important to know the difference between good pain and bad pain.

Crossfit, while not an insane or demonic-sounding name, certainly follows the “embrace the pain” mentality, and it has wrecked people. Many articles have questioned the safety of the program, and here is one that provides an insightful balance into its dangers and benefits.

Personally, I like embracing hardcore. It’s unique. It sets you apart from the couch potatoes and those looking for a quick fix. The marketers understand that a small subset of the population is ambitious, and they call to us. They challenge us not just to lose weight or to be healthy, but to be among the elite of society — to be stronger, faster, fitter and have more endurance than the rest.

Those of us who accept the challenges being issued have egos, and that’s not a bad thing if you can also temper your ambition with intelligence, education and some caution. Just because something is hard for you to do doesn’t mean it’s good for you or is the best way to train. Sure, you can be insane, demonic, soldierly or psychotic, but merely torturing you body won’t give you the results you’re after.

You need to use smart torture. Do some research into these programs. Check out the qualifications of the instructors. Listen to your body and learn the difference between good pain and bad pain. Focus on good technique that builds functional strength and skill rather than just “one more rep” for the sake of doing another rep.

It’s OK to do workouts that scare you. It’s OK to push your limits and be hardcore. It’s not OK to check your brain at the door when doing so. You can still be careful while kicking ass.